Shillong, March 31: In a major push to improve child nutrition and maternal health, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Tuesday launched ‘Mission 1000 Days’—a ₹127 crore programme targeting the critical period from pregnancy to a child’s first two years.
The initiative aims to address persistent challenges such as stunting, poor nutrition, and gaps in early childhood care, particularly in rural areas.
Speaking at the launch in Shillong, Sangma said the programme would deliver targeted support to mothers and children during the most vulnerable stage of development. He added that the initiative is part of a broader, evidence-based approach to improving human development indicators in the state.
“When I took office in 2018, one of the first issues that deeply concerned me was the high maternal mortality rate in Meghalaya. It troubled not only me but the entire team, and we resolved to do everything possible to bring it down,” he said.
The scheme includes nutritional support, awareness programmes, training, and distribution of mother-and-child kits, based on feedback from frontline workers.
Emphasising the need for prioritisation in governance, the Chief Minister said the government is focusing on addressing the most critical challenges at scale. “We are trying to resolve 60–70% of the most pressing issues, which can lead to broader improvements in overall indicators,” he said.
Officials noted that the first 1,000 days are crucial for a child’s development, with nearly 75–80% of brain development occurring during this period.
Highlighting the state’s broader development vision, Sangma said economic growth must be balanced with improvements in health and nutrition. He also flagged socio-economic challenges, noting that many women are forced to return to work soon after childbirth due to financial constraints, affecting infant care.
Calling for wider participation, he said the mission must evolve into a collective effort. “This has to become a people’s movement,” he said.
Sampath Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, said the programme focuses on the critical window from conception to two years of age, when children achieve nearly half of their adult height and most of their brain development.
He pointed to state assessments indicating that stunting often develops after birth due to gaps in nutrition and care, rather than at birth itself.
Kumar also raised concerns over declining exclusive breastfeeding and the increasing consumption of low-nutrient processed foods among children, stressing the need for behavioural change and greater awareness among families.
Outlining the implementation strategy, he said the mission will focus on capacity building of frontline workers, community-based nutrition interventions using local foods, supplementary nutrition support, and targeted care for children showing signs of growth faltering.
The programme will be implemented through coordinated efforts across departments, with technology-enabled tracking of mothers and children to ensure real-time monitoring and timely intervention at the grassroots level.
